Interior plantation window shutter
A plantation window shutter, comprises a frame and a plurality of shutter blades pivotably supported by the frame. The frame has a left stile, a right stile, a bottom rail connected to the left and right stiles and a top rail connected to the left and right stiles. The left stile comprises first and second members joined together, and the right stile third and fourth members joined together. The bottom rail includes first and second end portions sandwiched between the first and second members, and the third and fourth members, respectively. The top rail includes first and second end portions sandwiched between the first and second members, and the third and fourth members, respectively. The left and right stiles include top end portions operably attached to each other. The first and second members have opposing sides including a plurality of mirrored left grooves. The third and fourth members have opposing sides including a plurality of mirrored right grooves, the mirrored left grooves being axially aligned with respective the mirrored right grooves. Each of the shutter blades has a longitudinal pivotal axis and a left pivot and a right pivot aligned along the axis, the left pivot and the right pivot being received in respective one of the mirrored left grooves and the mirrored right grooves.
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This is a nonprovisional application claiming the priority benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 61/216,731, filed May 21, 2009, herein incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to a window shutter and a method of making the same and particularly to an indoor plantation window shutter.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONPlantation window shutters are currently built by hand by cutting several extruded lengths of plastic material or pre-machined profiles of wood. Manufacturers of window shutters use a variety of wood working hand tools, complex formulas and highly trained expensive craftsmen. The present invention provides additional ways for manufacturing plantation window shutters that reduce costs, improve quality, and reduce dramatically the time it takes to build them.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a plantation window shutter, comprising a frame and a plurality of shutter blades pivotably supported by the frame. The frame has a left stile, a right stile, a bottom rail connected to the left and right stiles and a top rail connected to the left and right stiles. The left stile comprises first and second members joined together, and the right stile third and fourth members joined together. The bottom rail includes first and second end portions sandwiched between the first and second members, and the third and fourth members, respectively. The top rail includes first and second end portions sandwiched between the first and second members, and the third and fourth members, respectively. The left and right stiles include top end portions operably attached to each other. The first and second members have opposing sides including a plurality of mirrored left grooves. The third and fourth members have opposing sides including a plurality of mirrored right grooves, the mirrored left grooves being axially aligned with respective the mirrored right grooves. Each of the shutter blades has a longitudinal pivotal axis and a left pivot and a right pivot aligned along the axis, the left pivot and the right pivot being received in respective one of the mirrored left grooves and the mirrored right grooves.
The present invention also provides a method for making a plantation window shutter, comprising the steps of sending to a remote computer measurements of a window opening in which a window shutter will be installed; providing a sheet material from which components of the window shutter will be cut; providing a CNC router machine for cutting the sheet material; receiving by the CNC router machine from the remote computer a machine file configured for operating the CNC router machine to cut the sheet material to produce the components of the window shutter; and assembling the components.
Referring to
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Each shutter blade 14 has left pivot 34 and right pivot 36 rotatably received within left groove 38 and right groove 40 in the corresponding members 16-22. Left grooves 38 in the members 16 and 18 are mirror images of each other (mirrored grooves). A groove 38 in the member 16 and the corresponding opposing groove 38 in the member 18 provide sufficient clearance for the left pivot 34 to rotate therein. Similarly, right grooves 40 in the members 20 and 22 are mirror images of each other (mirrored grooves) and that a groove 40 in the member 20 and the corresponding opposing groove 40 in the member 22 provide sufficient space for the right pivot 36 to rotate therein. It should be understood that the left grooves 38 and the right grooves 40 may be completely provided in the two laterally spaced members, such as the members 16 and 20, or the members 18 and 22, thereby obviating the need for providing opposing mirrored grooves in the members 16-22.
The pivots 34 and 36 are aligned along a longitudinal axis of rotation of the corresponding shutter blade 14.
Referring to
Another slot 46 is disposed in each of the members 16-22. The slots 46 are preferably substantially parallel to the slots 42. The slot 46 in the member 16 is a mirror image of the slot 46 in the member 18 (mirrored slots). Similarly, the slot 46 in the member 20 is a mirror image of the slot 46 in the member 22 (mirrored slots). A stiffener 48 is received within the corresponding pair of mirrore 46 (see
Each of the pivots 34 is associated with a gear 50, which is in meshing engagement with the gear rack 44. The gears 50 are fixedly attached to the respective pivot 34 so that when the shutter blade 14 is rotated by hand, the associated gear 50 turns with the associated pivot 34, which in turn causes the gear rack 44 to translate within the slots 42 that in turn causes the other gears 50 to turn, thereby actuating the other shutter blades 14 to turn in the same direction as the shutter blade being manually turned by hand.
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The shaft portion 52 of the pivot 34 preferably includes a cylindrical portion 62 and a keyed portion 64, separated by a flange portion 66. The cylindrical portion 62 is receivable within the respective grooves 38 and 40. The keyed portion 64 may include a flat surface 68 that engages a corresponding flat portion 67 (see
The shutter blade 14 has its longitudinal edges 69 and 71 recessed, so that in the closed position, the shutter blades longitudinal edges overlap one another to provide a substantially flush appearance. The shutter blades 14 may have other profiles, such as elliptical or oblong, as shown in
Referring to
The gear rack 44 is made of several sections joined end to end, one section of which is shown in
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Each shutter blade 106 has left and right pivots 124, which includes shaft portions 125 rotatably received within respective grooves 126 in the corresponding members 108-114. A groove 126 in the member 108 mates with a mirror image groove 126 (mirrored grooves) in the member 110 to provide enough clearance for the shaft portions 125 to rotate therein. It should be understood that the grooves 126 may be completely provided in the two laterally spaced members, such as the members 108 and 112, or the members 110 and 114, thereby obviating the need for providing mirrored grooves in the members 108-114.
The pivots 124 are aligned along a longitudinal axis of rotation of the corresponding shutter blade 106.
Referring to
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A control rod 136 is hingedly attached to each shutter blade 106 for operating the shutter blades in the open or closed position. Referring to
The window shutter disclosed herein is preferably made from wood or plastic sheet material. The various components of the window shutter are preferably cut from the sheet material using a CNC router machine 142, such a Camaster Cobra X3, made by Camaster CNC, Inc., Calhoun, Ga. 30701. The process of making the window shutter is similar to that disclosed in copending application Ser. No. 12/752,523, filed Apr. 1, 2010, herein incorporated by reference.
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A program 162 resident within the server 154 or in another computer connected to the server 154 converts the operator's input at steps 156 and 158 into a G-code file 164, which is downloaded to the router machine computer 142. In addition, a drawing file 166 is also generated and downloaded to the router machine computer 142. The drawing file 142 generates a drawing of the shutter ordered by the operator as a visual check to the operator on what the shutter looks like before the components are cut by the router machine 76.
The program 162 includes dimension files 168, louver sizing files 170, frame deduction files 172 and G-code generating files 174.
The dimension files 168 are a database developed around the sizes of the shutter, for example as shown in
Louver sizing files 170 provide the number of shutter blades appropriate for the size of the window in which the shutter will be installed. As the shutter increases in size, the number of shutter blades also increases. The rectangular shutter has shutter blade width sizes of 2½, 3½ and 4½ in.
The frame deduction files 102 allow for reductions in measurements provided at step 156 to accommodate a frame if ordered by the operator to be included with the shutter. Examples of frame profiles provided in the program are shown in
The G-code machine file 164 is standard G-code software used for motion control of the cutting tool of the router machine 142 that does the actual work. The G-code machine file 164 includes router tool selection, machine feed rates, tool speeds, tool paths and cutting depths. The G-codes direct the machine actions, such as rapid move; controlled feed move in a straight line or arc; series of controlled feed moves for boring holes; cutting a work piece to a specific dimension; cutting a decorative profile shape to the edge of a work piece; change tool; etc. The generation of G-codes for driving the router machine 142 are well known in the art. The G-codes may be generated using a standard drawing software package, such as AUTOCAD, available from Autodesk, Inc., 111 McInnis Parkway, San Rafael, Calif. 94903 and a standard G-code generating software package, such as ALPHACAM, available from Planit Solutions, Inc., 3800 Palisades Drive, Tuscaloosa, Ala. 35405. For example, referring to
The generation of the G-coded machine file 164 may also be automated by storing a database of G-code files that would be used in cutting any type and size of shutter for which the system is designed. These G-code files include all the necessary machine operations, such as the tool path, tool selection, depth of cut, tool rpm, feed speed, etc. for cutting the parts for any type and size of shutter stored in the system. Data on the dimensions of the ordered shutter, including the number of shutter blades, and any frame deduction generate a drawing file comprising several layered views. Each view is then associated with the appropriate G-code files already stored in the system. All the selected G-code files for all the views are then sent to the router machine computer 152 via the internet or other network connections.
The cutting process has been described extensively in the copending application Ser. No. 12/752,523. A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that a similar process is applicable in cutting the various components of the shutter of the present invention. As an example, the various cutting patterns on the board 146, showing the various components, are shown on one side of the board in
The various components of the window shutter disclosed herein are cut from a sheet strip material, made of synthetic material, such as PVC, or wood. The rails may also be made from pre-cut wood or synthetic strip material using a vacuum jig well known in the art.
While this invention has been described as having preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modification, uses and/or adaptations following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A plantation window shutter, comprising: and
- a) a frame and a plurality of shutter blades pivotably supported by said frame;
- b) said frame comprising a left stile, a right stile, a bottom rail connected to said left and right stiles and a top rail connected to said left and right stiles;
- c) said left stile comprising first and second members joined together, said right stile comprising third and fourth members joined together;
- d) said bottom rail including first and second end portions sandwiched between said first and second members, and said third and fourth members, respectively;
- e) said top rail including first and second end portions sandwiched between said first and second members, and said third and fourth members, respectively;
- f) said left and right stiles including top end portions operably attached to each other;
- g) said first and second members having opposing sides including a plurality of mirrored left grooves, said third and fourth members having opposing sides including a plurality of mirrored right grooves, said mirrored left grooves being axially aligned with respective said mirrored right grooves;
- h) each of said shutter blades having a longitudinal pivotal axis and a left pivot and a right pivot aligned along said axis, said left pivot and said right pivot being received in respective one of said mirrored left grooves and said mirrored right grooves.
2. A plantation window shutter as in claim 1, wherein:
- a) said first and second members include first and second bottom end portions, respectively;
- b) said third and fourth members include third and fourth bottom end portions, respectively;
- c) said first and second bottom portions include first and second projections, respectively;
- d) said third and fourth bottom portions include third and fourth projections, respectively;
- e) said bottom rail first and second end portions include first and second openings, respectively;
- f) said first and second projections are receivable within said first opening; and
- g) said third and fourth projections are receivable within said second opening.
3. A plantation window shutter as in claim 1, wherein:
- a) said first and second members include first and second top end portions, respectively;
- b) said third and fourth members include third and fourth top end portions, respectively;
- c) said first and second top portions include first and second projections, respectively;
- d) said third and fourth top portions include third and fourth projections, respectively;
- e) said top rail first and second end portions include first and second openings, respectively;
- f) said first and second projections are receivable within said first opening; and
- g) said third and fourth projections are receivable within said second opening.
4. A plantation window shutter as in claim 1, wherein:
- a) said first and second members opposing sides include mirrored longitudinal slots disposed transversely to said mirrored left grooves;
- b) each of said left pivots include a gear operably associated with a gear rack disposed in said mirrored longitudinal slots; and
- c) said gear rack is longitudinally movable within said mirrored longitudinal slots such that rotation of one of said shutter blades causes said gear rack to move, thereby actuating said shutter blades.
5. A plantation window shutter as in claim 1, wherein:
- a) said first and second members are identical to each other; and
- b) said third and fourth members are identical to each other.
6. A plantation window shutter as in claim 1, wherein said top and bottom rails are identical to each other.
7. A plantation window shutter as in claim 4, wherein said gear rack is slidable within said mirrored longitudinal slots when one of said shutter blades is turned.
8. A plantation window shutter as in claim 1, wherein:
- a) each of said pivots includes an attachment portion and a pivot portion; and
- b) said attachment portion is received in a correspondingly shaped slot in a respective shutter blade.
9. A plantation window shutter as in claim 8, wherein said attachment portion and said correspondingly shaped slot is T-shaped in cross-section.
10. A plantation window shutter as in claim 8, wherein said attachment portion includes a flange portion disposed over said correspondingly shaped slot when said attachment portion is received within said correspondingly shaped slot.
11. A plantation window shutter as in claim 1, wherein:
- a) each of said shutter blades includes upper and lower longitudinal edges, one of said edges includes a rear recess and the other of said edges includes a front recess; and
- b) said shutter blades are secured to said frame such that a shutter blade longitudinal top and bottom edges overlap, respectively, an adjacent lower shutter blade top longitudinal edge and an adjacent upper shutter blade lower longitudinal lower edge.
12. A plantation window shutter as in claim 1, wherein:
- a) said first and second members include mirrored longitudinal slots;
- b) said third and fourth members include another mirrored longitudinal slots; and
- c) a stiffener disposed within said mirrored longitudinal slots and said another mirrored longitudinal slots.
13. A plantation window shutter as in claim 12, wherein said stiffener is a square tube.
14. A plantation window shutter as in claim 1, wherein:
- a) said bottom rail first and second end portions are reduced in dimensions; and
- b) said top rail first and second end portions are reduced in dimensions.
15. A plantation window shutter as in claim 2, wherein:
- a) said first, second, third and fourth projections are rectangular in cross-section; and
- b) said first and second openings are rectangular.
16. A plantation window shutter as in claim 4, wherein:
- a) said gear rack includes a U-shaped housing including a base and a pair of side walls;
- b) a linear gear disposed on said base wall;
- c) said side walls include respective first and second slots; and
- d) said gear is movable along said first and second slots.
17. A plantation window shutter as in claim 1, wherein a number of said pivots include friction washers operably held between said first and second members, and said third and fourth members.
18. A plantation window shutter as in claim 17, and further comprising a control rod hingedly secured to said shutter blades to open and close said shutter blades.
19. A plantation window shutter, comprising:
- a) a frame and a plurality of shutter blades pivotably supported by said frame;
- b) said frame comprising a left stile, a right stile, a bottom rail connected to said left and right stiles and a top rail connected to said left and right stiles;
- c) said left stile comprising first and second members joined together, said right stile comprising third and fourth members joined together;
- d) said bottom rail including first and second end portions sandwiched between said first and second members, and said third and fourth members, respectively;
- e) said top rail including first and second end portions sandwiched between said first and second members, and said third and fourth members, respectively;
- f) said left and right stiles including top end portions operably attached to each other;
- g) said first member including a plurality of left grooves, said third member including a plurality of right grooves, said left grooves being axially aligned with respective said right grooves; and
- h) each of said shutter blades having a longitudinal pivotal axis and a left pivot and a right pivot aligned along said axis, said left pivot and said right pivot being received in respective one of said left grooves and said right grooves.
20. A method for making a plantation window shutter, comprising the steps of:
- a) sending to a remote computer measurements of a window opening in which a window shutter will be installed;
- b) providing a sheet material from which components of the window shutter will be cut;
- c) providing a CNC router machine for cutting the sheet material;
- d) receiving by the CNC router machine from the remote computer a machine file configured for operating the CNC router machine to cut the sheet material to produce the components of the window shutter; and
- e) assembling the components.
21. A method as in claim 20, and further comprising:
- a) selecting a frame; and
- b) said machine file includes a deduction on the measurements of the window opening to accommodate the frame.
Type: Application
Filed: May 20, 2010
Publication Date: Jun 2, 2011
Applicant: Global Precision Products LLC (Temecula, CA)
Inventors: Lawrence Matthew Stone (Logan, UT), Richard William Gaskey, JR. (Temecula, CA)
Application Number: 12/801,088
International Classification: E06B 7/096 (20060101); E06B 7/08 (20060101); E06B 7/086 (20060101);